Ingham Great Start Collaborative’s Play & Learn Groups are bringing joy, learning, and community connection to families across Ingham County. Designed for children from birth to age five and their caregivers, these free interactive sessions are available to families living in any of the twelve Ingham ISD school districts.

Led by trained Parent Educators and rooted in the Parents as Teachers model, each session blends fun with foundational skills that support early childhood development. Activities include:

  • Story Time – Spark a love of reading through engaging books and storytelling.
  • Music & Singing – Build rhythm, language, and movement skills in a joyful setting.
  • Creative Arts – Enjoy sensory play, crafts, and hands-on exploration.
  • Social Play – Children connect with peers while developing social-emotional skills.

More than just a playgroup, these sessions are a chance for caregivers to connect with one another, gain valuable parenting tools, and watch their children grow through meaningful, play-based learning.

Whether it’s singing a new song, painting with little hands, or hearing a favorite story for the first (or tenth!) time, Play & Learn Groups offer a warm, welcoming space for early learning and lifelong memories.


Learn more and find a group near you: Ingham ISD Playgroup Schedule


Recent Stories:

What If We Start by Listening? Ingham ISD kicks off the 2026–27 school year by putting student voice at the center of what comes next.

Ingham ISD staff came together for Opening Day with a question: “What if?” As the district begins year two of its "Power of What If?" theme, the focus is shifting to student voice—and creating meaningful learning experiences by listening to the students at the center of the work.

Learning That Looks Like Each Student Inside a Heartwood School classroom designed around communication, movement and the individual needs of every student.

At Heartwood School, there’s no expectation that learning should look the same for every student. Teacher Samantha Mulder takes us inside her classroom to show how communication tools, flexible spaces, movement and individualized supports help middle school students with severe cognitive impairments learn in ways that work for them.